Camera with retractable hand grip

ABSTRACT

AN IMPROVED HANDLE MEMBER FOR A CAMERA HAVING AN OPTICAL SYSTEM AND A TRIGGER ELEMENT. THE HANDLE MEMBER IS MOUNTED ON THE CAMERA FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION, WHEREIN SAID MEMBER COVERS THE OPTICAL SYSTEM AND TRIGGER ELEMENT AND A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN SAID MEMBER UNCOVERS THE OPTICAL SYSTEM AND TRIGGER ELEMENT AND PROVIDES A HANDLE FOR SUPPORTING THE CAMERA WHILE TAKING PICTURES.

May 1972 R. J. OLSON CAMERA WITH RETRACTABLE HAND GRIP Original FiledSept. 2, 1965 RICHARD J. 0L SON INVENTOR. BY M ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent @fiee Re. 27,362 Reissued May 16, 1972 27,362 CAMERA WITHRETRACTABLE HAND GRIP Richard J. Olson, Pittsford, N.Y., assignor toEastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y. Original No. 3,380,366, datedApr. 30, 1968, Ser. No.

484,640, Sept. 2, 1965. Application for reissue Mar. 4, 1969, Ser. No.827,43

5 Int. Cl. G031] 17/04 U.S. C]. 9586 17 Claims Matter enclosed in heavybrackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of thisreissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additionsmade by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE CROSS REFERENCE T O RELA TED PA TENTReference is hereby made to commonly assigned US. Pat. No. 3,380,366,filed in the name of R. J. Olson on Sept. 2, 1965, and issued on Apr.30, 1968.

This invention relates to photographic cameras and particularly motionpicture camera apparatus.

The small type motion picture camera is normally built to be of minimumsize commensurate with film size used.

.Also the small size makes for convenient and ready transportation, andreduces storage and shipping space 'with minimum size packaging. To thisend, small size cameras often sacrifice some useful adjuncts, such ashandle support structure which makes for easy and ready use, as well asatfordingmore convenient operation.

- By the present invention, a small size mot-ion picture camera of thetype here to be disclosed is provided with a sliding member which, inits retracted position, acts as a partial camera cover and closureelement. But, in its open or extendable position, it also becomes ahandle mechanism to support the unit. The usual motion picture cameraincludes a suitable form of view finder structure for sighting upon thescene or object to be photographed. in cooperative arrangement there isan objective lens structure to focus an image upon a film adapted to beunwound from a film storage magazine (usually in the form of a reel).After exposure the film is rewound into a storage magazine. Inoperation, the film is advanced by any desired type of film drivethrough a film gate where the exposure occurs. A suitable shuttermechanism is interposed between the film in the gate and the objective.This directs the image of the scene to be recorded upon film. Both thefilm drive and the opening and closing of the shutter mechanism over thegate are controlled by a suitable battery-powered electrical drivefunctioning through suitable drive gearing or mechanical instrumentallywound by the user from time to time and then released during recordingperiods. Both these drives are controlled by operating a manuallydepressed trigger or switch.

, In the case of the electrical drive, the trigger may close theelectrical circuit to initiate the drive operation. For the mechanicaldrive, the trigger releases a drive-arresting component operating aspring mechanism for suitable 'film control.

The foregoing is an extremely generalized description given only toestablish the type of structure here to be described to the field of itsoperation. It should be considered merely illustrative and not allinclusive. Various modifications may, of course, be utilized withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of what is here disclosed.

The present invention may be regarded as providing a slidable memberadapted to form a closure element for a portion of the camera. It maycover both the viewfinder and the objective lens systems when not in useand may form, in a second position, a handle support when the cameradrive mechanism is to be used and pictures are to be exposed. Theslidable component is carried upon the camera casing and encloses asuitable trigger block element in slidable position between the slidableelement and the camera casing proper. The trigger block has atrigger-control mechanism pivoted on it. This triggercontrol is madeaccessible to the operator who is able to release the structure forcontrolled time periods by depressing the trigger. This action releasesand controls the film drive mechanism and the exposure controllingshutter.

At either end of the camera casing there is usually a suitable stopmechanism for holding and limit-ing the movement of the slidablecovering element. The slidable element normally carries the operatingmeans whereby the trigger block and the trigger thereby pivotally supported are moved to an inoperative position. When the slidable elementis moved to an open camera position, the pivoted trigger held by thetrigger block is arranged to slide through a recess at one end of thecasing thereby to become accessible to the operator for controlling theperiods of operation of the film drive mechanism.

Various methods of holding the slidable element in either of its extremepositions may be utilized. Among these units are suitable stops andembossings or, alternatively, a frictional fit. In the latter case, thefit between the slidable element and the camera casing is made quitetight to prevent an involuntary shift.

The principal objectives of this invention provide a simplified camerastructure for small size cameras in particular by fitting these with acommon element serving as both a casing closure component under onecondition and as a casing-support component in a second condit-ion.Other objects of the invention are to provide camera support structurewhich is light, easy to handle, convenient to manipulate and efiicientin its use. Other aims and objects will be apparent from a reading ofthe following description in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exemplification of the invention partly in elevation andpartly in a sectional form when the camera closure element is in thecasing closing position; and

FIG. 2 is also a showing in elevation, partly in sectional form of thestructure of FIG. 1 with the casing-closure element extended to acamera-support position.

Reference may now be made to the drawings for a further understanding ofthis invention. In the drawings, the casing element 11 is adapted tocontain a view finder lens system 13 adapted to image an observed sceneupon a view finding plane 15 through which an observer 17 (schematicallyrepresented) may View the field of action so that an image thereof maybe focused upon a suitable film (not shown) contained Within a film gate(not shown) behind a shutter mechanism 19. Focusing is achieved by asuitable lens element, conventionally repre sented at 21, which may beadjusted for directing the light of the scene sharply focused upon thesuitable film positioned in the film gate behind the shutter mechanism19, conventionally represented as rotating upon a shaft or spindle 23.The shutter mechanism may be driven in any desired fashion (not shown)either mechanically or electrically under the control of a suitablepivoted drivecontrol lever element 25 movable about the pivot point 27when suitably depressed from its L-shaped end 29. [he camera controllever 25 is thus positioned Within a. :pacing element 31 so as to befree to move therein when :ontrolled by an operator conventionallyrepresented by be hand 33.

' Referring first to FIG. 1 of the disclosure, the slidable :losureelement 35 is a general U-shaped element. The :nds of the arms of thisU-shaped element are turned inwardly, as indicated at 37, to slidablyengage a groove 39 :xtending longitudinally of each side of the camera.The ilidable closure element 35 may be of any shape but when formed ofgenerally U-shaped configuration, the assembly )f the component isreadily achieved. In many instances, :he upper end 41 of the slidableclosure element may be 'ecessed to permit exposure of the view findingobjective [3. Alternatively, as shown more particularly by FIG. 1, heslidable element 35 may extend to a position where t completely coversthe objective as well as the side of he camera mechanism.

The camera casing is preferably formed with an exended edge 43 againstwhich the upper edge 45 of the :lidable closure element 35 may abut inits position of :losure. At the same time, slightly recessed from thelower :dge 47 of the camera there is an outwardly extending rib l9against which the overhanging edge 37' of the slidable :losure member isadapted to abut when in the closed position. Within the slidable member35 and located at egions generally close to its ends there is a pair ofstuds 51 and 53. These studs are formed to contact the trigger JlOCk 55from opposite ends when the slidable closure :lement is moved. Theyprovide a lost motion type of .tructure to shift the trigger blockadjacent to a surface 57 intermediately mounted within the camera bodyitself. ["he trigger block 55 has a trigger 59 pivoted thereon at aaivot point 61. The trigger 59 is adapated to extend through he recessor opening 62 in the rib 49 for access in the exended position. Theinner end 63 of the trigger in the :xtended position is located tocontact outer end 2'9 of the ilm-drive control element 25, thereby toinitiate, arrest 1nd achieve maximum control of the film drive.

In the extended position of the slidable closure element the outer endof the trigger 59 is exposed through a reease recess 65 formed in theinner end. The extended osition of the slidable component isparticularly exemilified by FIG. 2 showing how the user has access tothe rigger control so that by depressing or releasing the trigger underpressure of the thumb, the film drive operation :an be initiated(released) or connected, as desired. The rigger element is preferablyspring-biased by a spring nechanism (not shown) wrapped about the pivotspindle i1 tending to turn the trigger always in a counterclockvisedirection about the pivot 61 and away from the end 59 of the controlelement for film drive control. Accordngly, pressure on the end of thetrigger 59 operates tgainst the force of the spring. If desired, theextendible iandle provided by the slidable member may be retained 11extended position by virtue of a detent or spring, gen- :rally in theform and type of an umbrella catch (not ahown for convenience), whichalso may be depressed y the thumb of the user at times when it isdesired to nove the slidable element to cover the exposed portion If thecasing.

While the invention has been disclosed specifically in :ombination witha motion picture camera, it is also lsable in combination with a stillcamera. In fact, most of he modern types of motion picture apparatus arecagable, of selectively exposing film at a single frame at a time, aswell as in a selected motion picture. So op- :rated to expose individualfilm frames a motion pic- ;ure camera is the equivalent of a stillcamera since each :xposure is made by a separate actuation of thetrigger nember. Also, it is obvious that it might be desirable in ltillcameras to provide an extensible cover which would protect the lens andshutter trigger against accidental 4 vides a grip by which the cameramay be steadied when pictures are being taken. The structure thus offersthe possibility of eliminating the need of a camera-carrying case whoseprimary purpose is to protect the camera against damage or accidentalactuation of the shutter.

Having now described the invention what is'claimed is:

1. In a camera having a casing member containing an optical system and ashutter and control mechanism selectively movable from an inoperativeposition to an operative position to actuate said shutter, a slidableclosure element structure, a slidable trigger-support block, afilm-trigger element supported upon the block and adapted for selectingsaid operative and inoperative positions of the shutter controlmechanism, said slidable closure element structure being movably securedto the easing for holding the trigger support block adjacent thereto,said slidable closure element being also adapted to be moved between twolimiting positions, means supported on the slidable closure structurefor moving the triggersupporting block between a first limiting positionwherein the supported trigger is inoperative to control theshutterconrol mechanism and to a second limiting position whereinconnection between the trigger and the shutter control mechanism isoperative, said slidable closure element in its first limiting positionforming a closure for one portion of the casing and in its secondlimiting position providing a support handle for the camera, the saidhandle having a recess therein for permitting manual contact of thetrigger in the second limiting position.

2. The camera apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein the casing memberincludes an extended edge adapted to form an abutment to limit slidingmovement of the slidable means in one direction.

3. The camera apparatus claimed in claim 2 wherein the casing memberalso includes an outwardly extending rib at the other end of the path ofmovement of the slidable means to limit the movement of thetrigger-support block when the slidable element is extended to ahandleforming position, and means to limit the trigger block movementwith the slidable element in the casing-closing position to a portiononly of the movement of the slidable element.

4. Camera support structure for providing in a first position a closuremember for the casing within which a film shutter mechanism is includedand in a second position a support therefor comprising a slidableclosure element supported for closing one side of the casing and movableon the casing between two limiting positions, means for securing saidelement to the casing in slidable relationship so that in one limitingposition one surface area of the casing is substantially covered therebyand in a second limiting position at least a part of the casing isexposed and the said element protrudes from the casing to form a supporthandle, a trigger block, meansprovided by the closure element to holdthe trigger block in slidable relationship adjacent to the case, ashutter-triggering element pivotally supported on the block, means onthe slidable closure element for moving the trigger block in onedirection to render the triggerin element inoperative when the slidableelement is in one position to substantially close the casing and when,in a second position, to provide an operative connection between thepivoted trigger element and the film shutter mechanism when theslidableelement provides a casing support handle, the said slidable closureelement having a recess opening adjacent to the trigger with theslidable closure element in its open state to provide access to thetrigger control area to move the trigger to control the camera shutteroperation.

5. The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein the means for moving thetrigger block comprise a lost-motion mechanism including a pair of stopelements positioned internally of the slidable closure element tocontact opposite sides of the trigger block with closure elementmovement, thereby to carry the trigger to an operative position withmovement of the slidable closure element to one position and to aninoperative position when in the second position, stop means in thecasing to limit the block movement, one of said stop means having anopening through whichthe pivoted trigger is moved to bring it to ahandactuating position.

6. A closure and support structure -for use with a camera casing havingtherein a film magazine and shutter drive mechanism adapted to betriggered to expose individual frames of the film withdrawn from themagazine, said structure comprising a trigger support block, a triggerelement pivotally carried on said block to actuate said shutter drivemechanism, a casing closure element slidably secured to the casing,means associated with the casing for limiting the sliding movement ofthe closure element relative thereto to a first limiting position forproviding a casing covering and to a second limiting position forproviding a casing support handle, and means connected with the casingclosure element for moving the trigger support block between twolimiting positions, one position rendering the trigger inoperative andthe second position permitting trigger operation, the said closureelement in its extended position having an opening therein to permitmanual access to the trigger.

7. The closure structure claimed in claim 6 comprising, in addition,control means adapted to be in connecting location relative to thetrigger in one position of its movement, the casing limiting meanshaving a recess through which the trigger protrudes when the closureelement is in its extended handle-forming position.

8. In a camera including a casing member containing an optical system, ashutter and a control member selectively movable from a normallyinoperative position to an operative position to effect actuation ofsaid shutter,

the improvement comprising:

handle means comprising a unitary structure movably mounted on saidcasing to move between a closed position, wherein it covers said opticalsystem and renders said control member inaccessible for operation, andan open position, wherein it uncovers said optical system, provides ahandle for supporting said camera while taking pictures, and renderssaid control member accessible for selective actuation of the shutter.

9. The invention according to claim 8 in which said last mentioned meansinclude a manually operable trigger member for moving said controlmember to actuate said shutter, means for movably mounting the triggermember on said casing for movement between an operative position,wherein it is operatively associated with said control member, and aninoperative position, wherein it is disassociated from said controlmember,

a cover member movably mounted on said casing to move between a firstlimiting position, wherein it covers said optical system, and a secondlimiting position, wherein it uncovers said optical system and providesa handle for supporting said camera while taking pictures, and meansresponsive to movement of said cover member to and from said first andsecond limiting positions for moving said trigger member to and fromsaid inoperative and operative positions, respectively.

10. The invention according to claim 9, in which said casing memberincludes an overhanging lip forming an abutment for limiting movement ofsaid cover member in one direction of its path of movement to positionsaid cover member in said first limiting position.

11. The invention according to claim 9 in which said trigger member andthe cover member are slidably mounted on said casing to move insubstantially parallel paths of different lengths in moving betweentheir operative and inoperative and first and second limiting positions,respectively, and

in which said last mentioned means comprises a pair of projections onsaid cover member arranged to selectively engage said trigger member andslide it between said operative and inoperative positions when saidcover member is slid between said second and first limiting positions,respectively, said pair of projections being spaced apart in thedirection of movement of said cover member a distance g ater than thelength of the path of movement of said trigger member whereby said covermember in moving between its two positions travels farther than saidtrigger member in moving between its two positions.

12. The invention according to claim 9 in which said trigger member andcover member are slidably mounted on said" casing to move alongsubstantially parallel paths of diflferent lengths in moving betweentheir operative and inoperative and first and second limiting positions,respecti-vely,

in which said cover member confines said trigger member to slide withina recess in a wall of said casing,

and in which said last mentioned means includes a lostmotion connectionbetween said cover member and said trigger member whereby said covermember in moving between its two limiting positions moves a greaterdistance than said trigger member in moving between its operative andinoperative positions.

13. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said movable means in itsextended position provides a camera support handle having a recessthrough which the trigger 30 is accessible for manual movement thereof.

14. The invention claimed in claim 9 comprising, in addition, a triggerblock for supporting said trigger, said means responsive to movement ofthe cover member also being adapted to move the trigger block, and anapertured stop means for limiting trigger block and trigger movement inone direction and for permitting manual accessibility to the trigger.

[15. In a camera including a casing adapted to contain an opticalsystem,

the improvement comprising:

a handle member movably mounted on the casing and having a firstposition wherein said member covers the optical system to protect thesame and a second position wherein said member provides a handle forsupporting the camera while taking pictures] [16. In a camera as claimedin claim 15 the improvement further including a manually operable cameraoperating element movably mounted on said handle member for operatingthe camera in said second position of said member.]

[17. In a camera as claimed in claim 16, wherein said movable operatingelement is inaccessible for manual operation in said first position ofsaid handle member.]

18. In a camera including a casing adapted to contain an optical systemthe improvement comprising:

a handle member movably mounted on the casing and having a firstposition wherein said member covers the optical system to protect thesame and a second position wherein said member provides a handle forsupporting the camera while taking pictures; and

a manually operable camera operating element movably coupled to saidhandle member for operating the camera in said second position of saidmember.

19. The improvement as claimed in claim 18, wherein 6 said movableoperating element is inaccessible for manual operation in said firstposition of said handle member.

20. In a camera including a casing adapted to contain an optical system,the improvement comprising:

a handle member movably mounted on the casing and having a firstposition wherein said member covers the optical system to protect thesame and a second position wherein said member provides a handle forsupporting the camera while taking pictures;

a manually operable camera operating element movably mounted on thecamera and having a first posilion wherein the operating elementis-inaccessible for UNITED STATES PATENTS manual operation of the cameraand a' second posi- 3 240143 3/1966 Koeber 95 86 tion wherein theoperating element is accessible for 2535152 12/1950 Nelson "1"" manualoperation of the camera; and

means for moving said operating element from its sec- 5 OTHER ERENCES sand position to its first position in response to move- Publication;Gamer-a Art, v01. 1, No. 5, p, '76, s ment of said handle member fromits second position b t b (19.54, fi Position and f moving saidOperating Publication, Modern Photography, vol. 17, p. 56, element fromits first position to its second position O b 1953 r v in response tomovement of said handle from its first 10 7 position to its secondposition. 1 JOHN M. HORAN; Primary Examiner References Cited 'Thefollowing references, cited by the Examineriare 3524243 of record in thepatented file of this patent or the original 15 patent. t i

.. us. 01. X.R.

